The early spring ride on reigning Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice is officially up for grabs.
Co-trainer Sheila Laxon confirmed on Tuesday that a new jockey will be needed for Knight’s Choice’s opening runs this spring, as regular rider Robbie Dolan will be overseas from early August for several weeks.
“We will need to find an alternate (rider) as Robbie Dolan’s going to stay over there (Europe) for a month after the Shergar race, so we’ll be up and happening before he gets back to Australia,” Laxon told RSN927.
“I’m sure he’d jump back on, but who knows what is around the corner? We’ll be looking very hard at who we will put on and if they click with him, then we have to make a decision on what we do.”
The Shergar Cup at Ascot on August 9 will see Dolan ride for the Great Britain/Ireland team, with jockeys representing 10 countries taking part in the event.
Dolan became one of the stories of last spring when he partnered $91 outsider Knight’s Choice to a stunning Melbourne Cup victory, just two years after appearing on Australian TV series The Voice.
After returning from Queensland to Macedon Lodge in recent weeks, Knight’s Choice will be set for up to five runs leading into his Cup defence.
“He’s made his way down to Macedon Lodge and he’s put his winter woolies on for sure down there,” Laxon said. “But he’s loving down there and thriving. It’s a fabulous place to be able to take horses and get the best out of them.
“He is such a fit and athletic horse so you can really get the miles into him at Macedon.
“Here’s hoping he might get all the luck he had last year, but that might be a big thing to ask.”
Punters keen to follow Knight’s Choice ahead of the Melbourne Cup can find the best odds and markets at top Australian betting sites.
